The woman reached over and put her hand on her neighbor’s arm and said,
“Well, it’s close enough to be neighbors and far enough away to be good neighbors.”
They both chuckled at that.
“I wanted to ask you Peggy, it can be frightening for a young woman living out here alone without a man.
I haven’t seen anyone other than you and Colin living here.
Are you widowed or divorced?”, said her neighbor.
Peggy shook her head and said,
“Neither, I’m married, but don’t expect to see a man around here, Maureen.”
“I’m sorry, Peggy. I didn’t mean to open any old wounds. I shouldn’t have asked. It’s none of my business, really,” said Maureen.
“No, it’s okay.
It’s just….It’s just that I don’t want the story to get around.
It’s one of the reasons we moved out here.
I’d rather not have everyone know about the private details of my life.”
She looked into Maureen’s eyes and said,
“I can tell you, I think. It seems like we’ve known each other all our lives. After what you told me about your ex-husband, I think you’d understand,” said Peggy.
Maureen’s expression became serious and she said,
“Honey, whatever’s happened to you or whatever you’ve done, you can tell me.
I can keep a secret.
The Hill Country’s full of people with secrets.
You’re not the only one.”
“Well,…” Peggy began, “It’s a long story.
I don’t know if you have the time.
It might take all morning.”
Maureen patted Peggy’s hand and said, “Honey, I have all the time in the world.
Don’t worry about that, I always have time to listen to a friend.”
Peggy hesitated, “It’s not that I think you would tell anyone.
It’s just that I don’t think you would believe me.
The story is …well….it’s just a little too strange for anyone to believe.
You had to be there.”
Maureen smiled and said, “Why don’t you let me be the judge of that, honey.”
Peggy nodded and pointed to an antique oil lamp on the mantle.
“It all started with that lamp about nine months ago.